Shouldn't Laugh But...Laura Smyth & Carmen Butcher

Global Player Originals
  • 5.0 (2)
  • COMEDY
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Each week, best mates Laura Smyth and Carmen Butcher dive headfirst into the daft, the ridiculous, and the gloriously dumb - from their own personal disasters to the wildest, most unhinged things the internet (and the world) throws at us. Emma Watson losing her driving license for speeding? They’re on it. A woman taking a selfie with a shark and getting her hands bitten off? You know they’re talking about it. A CEO getting caught cheating at a Coldplay concert? They’re already laughing. If you love side-eyeing the news, finding comfort in other people’s weird choices, and laughing when maybe you shouldn’t… this is your new weekly dose of feeling better about your life choices. Shouldn’t Laugh But… with Laura and Carmen is a Global Player Original Podcast. You can listen, watch and subscribe to the podcast now on Global Player, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Email us your ‘Shouldn’t Laugh But...’ Moments! lauraandcarmen@global.com Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura Smyth - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen Butcher - @carmenshouldntlaugh Listen every Tuesday & Friday or watch us on Global Player & YouTube every Thursday.

  1. America’s Next Top Model Documentary Fallout & Carmen’s 40th Birthday Debrief

    23H AGO

    America’s Next Top Model Documentary Fallout & Carmen’s 40th Birthday Debrief

    This episode includes discussion of sensitive topics, including sexual assault, that some listeners may find distressing. Please take care while listening, and feel free to pause or step away if you need to. This week on Shouldn’t Laugh But, it’s the aftermath of Carmen’s 40th and the debrief is as chaotic as the dancefloor. There are hotel lobby rolly-polies, luxury Four Seasons cake carnage, fish and chips that looked… anatomically confusing, and an escalating late night chant of “City Lounge” that very nearly derailed the entire evening. Laura arrives already hungover after a boozy appearance on Saturday Kitchen, only to wake up the next morning as a fully fledged tabloid star thanks to some extremely dramatic headline writing. From there, things take a turn. Off the back of the brand new America’s Next Top Model documentary, the girls dive headfirst into the glossy, deeply unhinged world of the show itself. What starts as nostalgia quickly spirals into discussions about toxic producers, moralising meltdowns, ethically questionable photoshoots, reality TV villains and Tyra Banks’ almost supernatural ability to dodge accountability while delivering a life lesson. As if that wasn’t enough, it’s Pancake Day, the start of Ramadan, Chinese New Year and we are officially entering the Year of the Fire Horse, which apparently means bold moves, big energy and absolutely no half measures. Goodbye Year of the Snake… shedding old skin, shedding dignity, shedding the booze for Lent. New beginnings all round. All wrapped up with birthday gratitude and the firm belief that if you show up properly for your childless friend’s 40th, the universe will reward you. Additional support: If you've been affected by anything you've heard in this episode, please take a moment to read the resources listed: Rape Crisis, Women's Aid, Victim Support Email us your ‘Shouldn’t Laugh But...’ Moments! lauraandcarmen@global.com Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen - @carmenshouldntlaugh Listen to Main Episodes every Tuesday, and Watch Main Episodes every Thursday. Bonus Episodes are available every Friday

    42 min
  2. Bloody Kisses & Ballistic Misses

    5D AGO · BONUS

    Bloody Kisses & Ballistic Misses

    From tooth fairy trauma and Friday the 13th paranoia to valentines gone wrong, Laura and Carmen are riding a romantic rollercoaster with zero brakes. There’s boiling water mishaps, forgotten fairy duties, and a heartfelt email that proves sometimes you just know when you’ve found a good egg. But don’t worry, it’s not all hearts and flowers. We’ve got a Valentine’s bouquet of listener chaos: a florist working ex who spectacularly fumbled the bag, a bedroom bloodbath that left one flatmate deeply concerned, and a passionate spank that went catastrophically off target. Add in quiet red wine dads, party prep panic, and the looming birthday bash of the century, and you’ve got one very messy love story. Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen - @carmenshouldntlaugh Listen to Main Episodes every Tuesday, and Watch Main Episodes every Thursday on Global Player and YouTube. Bonus Episodes are available every Friday

    23 min
  3. Celebrity Valentine Chaos & the Winter Olympics Get Weird

    FEB 10

    Celebrity Valentine Chaos & the Winter Olympics Get Weird

    This week on Shouldn’t Laugh But, Laura and Carmen lean fully into Valentine’s Week! There’s birthday chat galore as Carmen gears up for her 40th, conspiracy theories, rage baiting and the creeping realisation that no one seems to be in charge of anything anymore… Valentine’s chat obviously divulges into full celebrity chaos, from blood vial jewellery and aquarium dates, to Kenny G logistics, oily sexy sax men, olive trees, billionaires who simply will not stop shopping and the deeply important question of are Daniel Radcliffe and Megan Thee Stallion actually dating?! As if that wasn’t enough, the Winter Olympics arrive with gnarly commentary, figure skating obsession, Cool Runnings nostalgia and a late breaking rumour involving ski jumpers, hyaluronic acid and medically questionable aerodynamic choices. All wrapped up with a love letter to friendship, Galentine’s, chosen family and the radical idea that love doesn’t have to be romantic to be worth celebrating. Happy Valentine’s Week. Please leave five stars. Consider it your Valentine gift to us 3 Email us your ‘Shouldn’t Laugh But...’ Moments! lauraandcarmen@global.com Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen - @carmenshouldntlaugh Listen to Main Episodes every Tuesday, and Watch Main Episodes every Thursday. Bonus Episodes are available every Friday

    42 min
  4. The Grossest Story We’ve Ever Had!

    FEB 6 · BONUS

    The Grossest Story We’ve Ever Had!

    An innocent debate about wiping technique spirals into apologies, trauma, and one unforgettable Spanish water park incident. Laura and Carmen dive headfirst into listener embarrassment, public toilet shame, t**s out disasters, and the real reason you should never trust an enclosed flume. There’s owl impressions, Valentine’s chat, co-sleeping confessions, and proof that once you’ve shit yourself in front of someone, you’re friends for life. Listener discretion advised. This one absolutely ponged. Get involved in the show! Email Laura and Carmen your Shouldn’t Laugh But... moments at lauraandcarmen@global.com. You can also DM them on Instagram: @shouldntlaughpod. Shouldn’t Laugh But… with Laura Smyth and Carmen Butcher is a Global Player Original Podcast. You can listen, watch and subscribe to the podcast now on Global Player, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen - @carmenshouldntlaugh Listen to Main Episodes every Tuesday, and Watch Main Episodes every Thursday on Global Player and YouTube. Bonus Episodes are available every Friday

    17 min
  5. Take That Documentary Therapy & Wuthering Heights Horny Breakdown

    FEB 3

    Take That Documentary Therapy & Wuthering Heights Horny Breakdown

    This week on Shouldn’t Laugh But... there’s a heartfelt goodbye to comedy royalty, a brief moment of wet eye, and then straight into celebrity dating discourse as Kim Kardashian and Lewis Hamilton go public and somehow just make sense. Laura and Carmen do a deep dive into the Take That documentary, from boyband hysteria and Gary Barlow redemption to nineties nostalgia and MTV memories. Elsewhere, Carmen attends a murder mystery party where she accidentally becomes the murderer, while Laura navigates a sticky gig with drunk front row aunties. And then things get horny. Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi’s aggressively sexy press tour sparks a debate about secure relationships, visor hands, flirting as performance, jealousy, work wives and why being Australian makes you instantly cool. All in all, a reminder that everyone is confused, everyone is jealous, everyone is online too much and laughing is still the best coping mechanism. Email us your ‘Shouldn’t Laugh But...’ Moments! lauraandcarmen@global.com Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen - @carmenshouldntlaugh Listen to Main Episodes every Tuesday, and Watch Main Episodes every Thursday. Bonus Episodes are available every Friday.

    44 min
  6. “He wipes his bum standing up!”

    JAN 30 · BONUS

    “He wipes his bum standing up!”

    This episode of Shouldn’t Laugh But is a full body immersion into the chaos of leisure centres, from flumes that should absolutely be age restricted to the deeply cursed realisation that Leisure World is one of those places that hits very differently as an adult. Laura and Carmen unpack childhood water park joy, vending machine culture, plasters in the pool, and the horror of realising you are now the entertainment on a flume. There’s also a listener debate that truly splits the nation on how you wipe your bum, including power stances, wall leaning, and why some habits should never be passed down through generations. Plus, the girls get stuck into the Ryanair versus Elon Musk beef, social media pile ons, and how you have to be a very specific kind of prick to make the CEO of Ryanair look like a legend. Flumes, arses, airlines and billionaires getting owned. A lot is covered. Get involved in the show! Email Laura and Carmen your Shouldn’t Laugh But... moments at lauraandcarmen@global.com. You can also DM them on Instagram: @shouldntlaughpod. Shouldn’t Laugh But… with Laura Smyth and Carmen Butcher is a Global Player Original Podcast. You can listen, watch and subscribe to the podcast now on Global Player, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen - @carmenshouldntlaugh Listen to Main Episodes every Wednesday, and Watch Main Episodes every Thursday on Global Player and YouTube. Bonus Episodes are available every Friday

    23 min
  7. Nigella’s Bake Off Thirst Trap And Steven Bartlett’s Gene Pool Obsession

    JAN 27

    Nigella’s Bake Off Thirst Trap And Steven Bartlett’s Gene Pool Obsession

    This week on Shouldn’t Laugh But, Laura and Carmen are riding high after accidentally making the Daily Mail, spiralling into full hun culture chaos and asking the only question that matters: is Nigella Lawson about to make Bake Off unbearably sexy? From Spice Girls reunion delusions and Traitors obsessing to soggy bottoms, flirt offs and why Paul Hollywood will simply not survive the Nigella era, the girls unpack the biggest TV gossip of the week. Elsewhere, there’s winter sun in Morocco, fake Chanel sunglasses, buffet blindness, one on one parenting revelations and the emotional rollercoaster of discovering your ten year old has the playlist of a gay man in his forties. And just when you think it couldn’t get more unhinged, Steven Bartlett enters the chat with gene pools, incels and unsolicited womb opinions, prompting a collective scream into the void and a reminder that absolutely none of this is our responsibility. Come for the Bake Off filth and celebrity nonsense, stay for the parenting confessions, relationship resentment, existential dread and permission to laugh at things you definitely shouldn’t. Email us your ‘Shouldn’t Laugh But...’ Moments! lauraandcarmen@global.com Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen - @carmenshouldntlaugh Listen to Main Episodes every Wednesday, and Watch Main Episodes every Thursday. Bonus Episodes are available every Friday

    42 min
  8. "69’s are a f* load of admin”

    JAN 23 · BONUS

    "69’s are a f* load of admin”

    This episode of Shouldn’t Laugh But tackles the question no parent is ever prepared for: when your kid asks what 69 is. From kitchen chats about consent to likening the act to the Bermuda Triangle, Laura and Carmen unpack why 69ing is far more admin heavy and far less glamorous than the films ever suggested. Meanwhile, Heated Rivalry has Carmen mentally rehearsing what she’s absolutely going to shout when she sees ice hockey IRL on her upcoming Canada trip, and the girls deliver the final word on the sexiest accents. Essex takes the crown, but the Russian accent is… dangerously fit. Get involved in the show! Email Laura and Carmen your Shouldn’t Laugh But... moments at lauraandcarmen@global.com. You can also DM them on Instagram: @shouldntlaughpod. Shouldn’t Laugh But… with Laura Smyth and Carmen Butcher is a Global Player Original Podcast. You can listen, watch and subscribe to the podcast now on Global Player, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen - @carmenshouldntlaugh Listen to Main Episodes every Wednesday, and Watch Main Episodes every Thursday on Global Player and YouTube. Bonus Episodes are available every Friday

    22 min
See All (58)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Each week, best mates Laura Smyth and Carmen Butcher dive headfirst into the daft, the ridiculous, and the gloriously dumb - from their own personal disasters to the wildest, most unhinged things the internet (and the world) throws at us. Emma Watson losing her driving license for speeding? They’re on it. A woman taking a selfie with a shark and getting her hands bitten off? You know they’re talking about it. A CEO getting caught cheating at a Coldplay concert? They’re already laughing. If you love side-eyeing the news, finding comfort in other people’s weird choices, and laughing when maybe you shouldn’t… this is your new weekly dose of feeling better about your life choices. Shouldn’t Laugh But… with Laura and Carmen is a Global Player Original Podcast. You can listen, watch and subscribe to the podcast now on Global Player, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Email us your ‘Shouldn’t Laugh But...’ Moments! lauraandcarmen@global.com Follow Shouldn’t Laugh But on all social platforms: @shouldntlaughpod Laura Smyth - @thatlaurasmyth Carmen Butcher - @carmenshouldntlaugh Listen every Tuesday & Friday or watch us on Global Player & YouTube every Thursday.

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